What did Thoreau have in common with John Thornton in The Call of the Wild

This question has been asked (and answered??) many times! A google-search will bring up many, many results!!

I'd say you need to use a Venn Diagram and do your own thinking if you want a decent grade from your teacher. Be original! (Of course, I'm confident you have read Call of the Wild and some of Thoreau's works, too, right?)

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/venn.pdf (PDF file; requires Acrobat reader)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
Click on Venn.

Let us know what you think.

To determine what Henry David Thoreau (the American philosopher and writer) has in common with John Thornton (a character from Jack London's novel, The Call of the Wild), we need to examine the respective works and compare their characteristics. Here's how you can do it:

1. Read about Henry David Thoreau: Gather information about Thoreau's life, philosophy, and writings. One of his most famous works is Walden, where he describes his experiences living in a secluded cabin in the woods. Thoreau advocated for self-reliance, simplicity, and a deep connection with nature.

2. Read The Call of the Wild by Jack London: Familiarize yourself with the story, including the main characters and their traits. Pay close attention to the character of John Thornton, a gold prospector who forms a bond with the protagonist, Buck (a dog). Learn about Thornton's personality, actions, and beliefs.

3. Analyze the characters: Compare the characteristics of Thoreau and Thornton to identify any similarities. Look for shared traits such as:

- Love for nature: Both Thoreau and Thornton have a deep appreciation and connection to the natural world. Thoreau documents his experience living in the woods, while Thornton spends a significant amount of time in the wild during his gold-seeking endeavors.

- Self-sufficiency and independence: Thoreau embraced a self-reliant and minimalist lifestyle, seeking to live deliberately. Similarly, Thornton exhibits self-sufficiency as a gold prospector, relying on his skills and instincts to navigate the rugged wilderness.

- Spiritual connection: Thoreau emphasized the transcendent power of nature and its ability to awaken the human spirit. Thornton, too, experiences a profound spiritual connection with nature and develops a strong bond with Buck, recognizing the dog's innate wildness.

4. Draw conclusions: Based on the analysis, you can conclude that Thoreau and Thornton share a love for nature, a commitment to self-sufficiency, and a spiritual connection with the natural world. These commonalities demonstrate a shared appreciation for the transformative power of nature and an understanding of the wildness and instinctual nature of living beings.

By understanding the respective works and characters in question, you can identify the similarities between Thoreau and Thornton, providing a comprehensive answer to your question.